ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways brings RailWire Wi-Fi at Historic Dera Baba Nanak Station, Punjab also provides Connectivity at ICP for “Kartarpur Corridor” Project
As per mandate of Indian Railways, RailTel, a Miniratna PSU of Indian Railways, has provided Railwire Wi-Fi at the historic Dera Baba Nanak Railway station, Punjab, to enable the pilgrims to use fast Wi-Fi services as an amenity. The “Kartarpur Corridor” Project has been inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 09 Nov 2019. This has caused more people to use the station for commuting. Free Wi-Fi at this station is proving to be a boon for the passengers. The free Railwire Wi- Fi can be used inside the railway station premises by anyone who has a smartphone with a working connection for KYC consideration. The Sultanpur Lodhi station which has a rush of pilgrims for visiting Dera Baba Nanak has also been provided with Wi-Fi.
In a mission to turn the Railway station into a platform for Digital inclusion, RailTel has provided free Wi-Fi at 5300+ Railway stations across country. Soon, all feasible Railway stations , will have free Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi service to passengers are being provided under ‘RailWire’- the retail Broadband initiative of RailTel catering to Enterprises, SMEs and homes. To use the Wi-Fi, the user has to switch on the Wi-Fi mode on the smartphone and select the RailWire Wi-Fi network. The RailWire homepage automatically appears on the smartphone. The user has to enter his or her mobile number on this homepage. The user will get one-time password  in form of SMS in the message box which has to be entered in the home page of RailWire. After entering OTP Users will be able to access high speed internet & can start internet browsing.
RailTel was also entrusted by NIC to deliver 8 Mbps BW at Integrated Check Post  at Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur under the prestigious “Kartarpur Corridor” Project of Government of India. This leased line connectivity shall enable the ICP for authentication of traveller’s identity at the Immigration Check Post  and Foreigners Registration Offices  through the use of intelligent documents scanners and biometrics, updation of Foreigner’s details at entry and exit points.
This leased line connectivity has been done within a record time of 15 days which includes Radio Connectivity in Backbone/Aggregation from Amritsar to Dera Baba Nanak, a distance of 45 KM, and Last mile underground OFC connectivity of 5 KM from Dera Baba Nanak station to ICP/Dera Baba Nanak. This was a very challenging project for RailTel as the time period given was very short and due to bad weather the work was hampered for couple of days. RailTel had to erect two 30-meter-tall towers for Radio link to provide seamless connectivity as Dera Baba Nanak is at a distance of 49 km for which repeater had to be provided for connectivity to the farthest / remotest point in Punjab near International Border.
Ministry of Defence
Seven Indian Navy Ships Deployed for Op Samudra Setu II
In support of the nation’s fight against Covid-19 and as part of operation 'Samudra Setu II’, seven Indian Naval ships viz. Kolkata, Kochi, Talwar, Tabar, Trikand, Jalashwa and Airavat have been deployed for shipment of liquid medical oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment from various countries.
INS Kolkata and INS Talwar, mission deployed in Persian Gulf, were the first batch of ships that were immediately diverted for the task and entered port of Manama, Bahrain on 30 Apr 21.
INS Talwar, with 40 MT Liquid Medical Oxygen  embarked, is headed back home.
INS Kolkata has proceeded to Doha, Qatar for embarking medical supplies and will subsequently head to Kuwait for embarking Liquid Oxygen tanks.
Similarly, on the Eastern seaboard, INS Airavat too has been diverted for the task, while INS Jalashwa, the LPD which played a key role during op Samudra Setu last year was pulled out of maintenance, readied and sailed out to augment the effort.
INS Airavat is scheduled to enter Singapore for embarking Liquid oxygen tanks and INS Jalashwa is standing by in the region to embark medical stores at short notice.
The second batch of ships comprising Kochi, Trikand and Tabar mission deployed in Arabian sea have also been diverted to join the national effort.
From the Southern Naval Command, the Landing Ship Tank INS Shardul is being readied to join the Operation within 48 hours.
Indian Navy also has the surge capability, to deploy more ships when the need arises to further nation's fight against COVID-19. It is pertinent that the ships are combat ready and capable of meeting any contingency in keeping with the attributes of versatility of sea power.
It may be recalled that Operation Samudra Setu was launched last year by the Navy and around 4000 Indian citizens stranded in neighbouring countries, amidst COVID 19 outbreak, were successfully repatriated back to India.
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ABBB/VM/MS 47/21
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Ministry of Science & Technology
Low-energy-consuming switchable smart windows developed based on novel architecture for confining liquid crystals
A novel protocol for confinement of liquid crystals in an architecture called hierarchical double networks of polymers can give next-generation solutions for low-energy consuming on-demand switchable smart windows operating between low and high transmittance.
Interpenetrating polymer networks are soft matter systems that innovatively optimise different functionalities such as mechanical, optical, and electrical properties to provide novel solutions in engineering and biomedical applications. A specific class of these architectures, labelled hierarchical double networks, synergistically combining rigid and soft networks to realize thermal, electrical, and optical properties are currently attracting much attention.
The research team of Dr. D S Shankar Rao, Dr. S Krishna Prasad, and Dr. Varshini G V, at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Science, Bengaluru have added a new dimension to this field by introducing double networks which are superimposed on liquid crystals. These networks are realized by two different and independently controlled & on-demand stimuli-- light and temperature. While the former creates an orientationally self-assembled polymer network, the organogelation  of the second active component driven by temperature provides the second network which effectively traps the first one. The overall result is a well-controlled porous hierarchical network that confines the liquid crystal while allowing it to be electrically switched between its direction-dependent states and governing the dynamics through the created virtual surfaces of polymeric and gel nature.
Fig 1: Schematic illustration of the scope of the network and the morphology of the system as imaged through an electron microscope
While exhibiting interesting physics in terms of the thermodynamic characteristics, these hierarchical physical networks also help in realizing the next-generation solution for low-energy consuming privacy windows which are on-demand switchable between high and low haze states with very high spatial resolution achievable by present-day techniques of lithography.
The work is published in the Journal of Material Chemistry C, 11, 7682-7696 . DOI: 10.1039/d3tc00991b
For further details, Dr. D S Shankar Rao can be contacted.
Figure 2: Smart window device fabricated using the hierarchical networks in voltage on and off states
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SNC/PK
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Daily Recoveries Outnumber Daily New Cases for the 6th Consecutive Day
Less than 3 Lakh daily New Cases for three successive days
Highest ever 20 Lakh Tests Conducted in the last 24 hours which is a global record
Daily Positivity Rate Declines to 13.31%
More than 64 lakh beneficiaries of age group 18-44 Vaccinated, so far
India’s Daily Recoveries outnumber Daily New Cases for the sixth consecutive day. 3,89,851 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours.
India’s cumulative recoveries have reached 2,19,86,363 today. The National Recovery Rate has grown further to touch 86.23%.
Ten states account for 74.94% of the new recoveries.
Continuing the positive trend, India records less than 3 lakh new cases for three consecutive days.
2,67,334 New Cases were registered in the last 24 hours.
Ten States reported 74.46% of thenew cases in last 24 hours.Tamil Naduhas reported the highest daily new cases at 33,059, followed by Kerala with 31,337new cases.
On the other front, India’s total Active Caseload has decreased to 32,26,719today.
A net decline of 1,27,046 is witnessed in the last 24 hours.
It now comprises 12.66% of the country's total Positive Cases.
8States cumulatively account for 69.02% of India’s total Active Cases.
The graph below highlights the trajectory of active cases in the last one month.
More than 20 Lakh tests were conducted in the last 24 hours , while the daily positivity rate has declined to 13.31%.
20.08 lakh tests conducted in the last 24 hours in the country is also a global record.
Over 32 Crore tests have been conducted so far across the country.
The graph below shows the increasing trajectory of tests conducted in India. The cumulative positivity rate stands at 7.96%.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has reached 18.58 Cr today under the Phase-3 of the nationwide Vaccination Drive.
A total of 18,58,09,302vaccine doses have been administered through 27,10,934 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today. These include 96,73,684HCWs who have taken the 1st dose and 66,59,125HCWs who have taken the 2nddose, 1,45,69,669FLWs , 82,36,515FLWs , 64,77,443beneficiaries under 18-44 age group ,5,80,46,339 and 93,51,036  beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years.5,48,16,7671stdose beneficiaries and 1,79,78,7242nd dose beneficiaries of more than 60 years old.
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
96,73,684
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
66,59,125
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,45,69,669
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
82,36,515
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
64,77,443
|
|
Age Group 45 to 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5,80,46,339
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
93,51,036
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5,48,16,767
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,79,78,724
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
18,58,09,302
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination 
The National Strategic Plan  was approved by Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare on 8th May 2017 and has been operational since then in the entire country with the goal of Ending TB by 2025.
Under the National Strategic Plan  for Tuberculosis , 20%, 22% and 24% of the funds have been earmarked for social welfare support in years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
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||
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
Amount 
|
|
612.60
|
|
907.53
|
|
1223.94
|
|
As % of total budget
|
|
20%
|
|
22%
|
|
24%
|
|
Total NSP proposed budget
|
|
3135.61
|
|
4115.64
|
|
5075.95
A new scheme, Nikshay Poshan Yojana has been implemented from 01st April 2018, wherein 500 rupees per month is being provided to All TB patients towards nutritional support for the duration of their treatment. Tribal patient travel support, wherein 750 rupees is being provided to all TB patients in tribal notified blocks towards travel support is an ongoing scheme since the twelfth plan.
The Ministry has established an Inter-Ministerial Coordination committee under the chairpersonship of Secretary  for smooth linkages between linkages between the TB programme and various ministries like Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Ministry of Labor & Employment.
The Minister of State , Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT’S GREETINGS ON THE EVE OF VAISAKHI, VISHU, RONGALI BIHU, NABA BARSHA, VAISAKHADI AND PUTHANDU PIRAPPU
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu in her message on the eve of Vaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi and Puthandu Pirappu which are being celebrated on 14th and 15th April, 2023 has said:-
“On the auspicious occasion of Vaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaishakhadi and Putandu-Pirapu, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in the country and abroad.
These farmers’ festivals, celebrated in different parts of our country, present a glimpse of India's rich cultural heritage and diversity. These festivals are celebration of the happiness, prosperity and progress which follow the hard work of our Annadata farmers. These festivals are also an occasion to respect their hard work.
I wish that these joyous festivals inspire us to contribute to the progress of our nation and spread the spirit of harmony among our fellow citizens”.
Click here to see the President's message in Hindi.
Ministry of Defence
Indian Army Intensifies Flood Relief Operations in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
Pune: 31st August, 2020
With the unprecedented rains and resultant heavy flow of water in various rivers, a number of areas in Nagpur District of Maharashtra and Hoshangabad, sehore and raisen district of Madhya Pradesh have been inundated. Southern Command has mobilised flood relief and rescue teams on request by civil administration to assist the locals in flood affected areas.
MAHARASHTRA
As on 31 Aug 2020, a total of ten flood relief teams from Guards Regimental Centre, Kamptee and three engineer task forces from College of Military Engineering, Pune have been deployed for flood relief and rescue operations in Kuhi tehsil of Nagpur district. The columns are assisting the civil administration in rescue of local villagers stranded in submerged areas of Kuhi and in restoring normalcy in these inundated areas. Approximately 90 persons have been rescued from the villages of Panvi and Ghondpimpri to safe locations.
Army troops at Kamptee Cantonment were also activated to rescue local populace around Kamptee Cantonment stranded due to release of huge quantum of water into Kanhan River. Aid was provided to the civilians living in Gora Bazaar, Chhoti Ajni, Oothkhana and Godown Area. Army troops went beyond the call of duty and provided cooked meals to stranded villagers in and around Kamptee cantonment. Drinking water was made available in tanks in the villages. Inspite of Army units themselves getting innundated with flood water, the relief of civilian population was given priority and relief operations continued overnight.
Medical teams of Army Doctors and Nursing Assistants have also been deployed for providing necessary first aid and medicines to locals being evacuated from flood prone areas.
MADHYA PRADESH
A total of thirty Army flood relief teams from 3 EME Centre, Bhopal, Mahar Regiment Centre, Saugor, a Gorkha, Mahar and Maratha Light Infantry battalion have been deployed alongwith ten engineer task force for flood relief and rescue operations in Hoshangabad, Sehore and Raisen districts of Madhya Pradesh. A total of approximately 100 civilians had been rescued from the flood prone areas in concert with Indian Air Force. Rescued civilians moved to safe locations were provided medical aid and distributed food packets.
True to the motto ‘har kaam desh ke naam’, the Indian Army would always rise to the expectations of the nation.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM Modi's letter to the teaching community on Teachers' Day
Greeting the Teachers' community, and paying tribute to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan on Teachers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that teachers inspire as well as inform, educate and enlighten.
In an email sent to lakhs of teachers, the Prime Minister mentioned their tremendous influence on the lives of children, and added that the values inculcated by teachers stay with the students for a lifetime.
The Prime Minister quoted former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who had said: "Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre and future of an individual."
Shri Narendra Modi said that the 21st century will be shaped by societies that accord topmost importance to education, research, and innovation. "Needless to say, this makes the role of our teachers extremely vital," he added.
"I am sure you are keeping up-to-date with the latest advances in technology and further connecting your students with the technological trends," the Prime Minister wrote in his letter to teachers. He also mentioned some of the efforts that the Government of India is undertaking to bring about a paradigm shift in the education sector.
"Thanks to the monumental efforts of teachers like you, the focus has successfully shifted from outlays to outcomes, from teaching to learning. The emphasis on skill development has received a significant push due to the Atal Tinkering Labs. Numerous universities are being set up across India so that no youngster is denied the joys of quality education," the Prime Minister said.
Noting that on 2nd October, we mark the start of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister exhorted the teaching community to take the lead in furthering the thoughts and noble ideals of Bapu in an innovative manner, among the students. He appreciated the "stupendous role of the teaching community in strengthening the Swachh Bharat Mission."
Reiterating his vision of a New India by 2022, when we mark 75 years of freedom, the Prime Minister urged the teaching community to devote the coming four years towards fulfilling the dreams and vision of those who gave their lives for our freedom.
"I urge you to focus on any issue close to your heart, mobilise local communities and make a positive difference in the lives of those around you. This would be a fitting tribute to our freedom fighters and further the resolve to build a New India," the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister's Office
PM applauds as 2,00,000th 5G site of India activated at Gangotri and dedication of Char Dham fibre connectivity project
The Prime Minister,Shri Narendra Modi has praised activation of 2,00,000th 5G site of India at Gangotri and dedication of Char Dham fibre connectivity project.
In response to a tweet by the Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Prime Minister tweeted :
"Good news for connectivity and tourism."
Ministry of Labour & Employment
IVF & Fertility Centre at ESIC PGIMSR College & Hospital Inaugurated
In-vitro Fertilization  & Fertility Centre at ESIC PGIMSR & Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi was inaugurated by DG, ESIC Shri Raj Kumar today.
IVF is a complex series of procedures used to help with fertility or prevent genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child. ESIC PGIMSR, Basaidarapur, New Delhi under the aegis of Ministry of Labour & Employment, is the first Institute to provide IVF services to its beneficiaries in Delhi-NCR region. The centre strictly follows ICMR guidelines and will provide quality treatment and value based services to the Insured Persons .
Shri Raj Kumar informed that ESIC has initiated various systematic reforms for delivering improved social security benefits and medical services to ESI beneficiaries as well as for expansion of the coverage in the country.
The other dignitaries to grace the occasion were Dr. R. K. Kataria, Medical Commissioner, Dr. P. L. Chaudhari, Medical Commissioner, Dr. Subhajeet Dey, Dean, ESIC PGIMSR College & Hospital, Basaidarapur, Dr. Deepak Kumar Sharma, Medical Superintendent, Dr. Sangeeta Gupta, H.O.D  and Dr. Leena Wadhwa, Incharge .
ESI Scheme in India
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation is a pioneer Social Security organization providing comprehensive social security benefits like reasonable Medical Care and a range of Cash Benefits in times of need such as employment injury, sickness, death etc. The ESI Act applies to premises/precincts where 10 or more persons are employed. The employees drawing wages up to Rs.21,000/- a month are entitled to health insurance cover and other benefits, under the ESI Act. The Act now applies to over 12.11 lakh factories and establishments across the country, benefiting about 3.50 crores family units of workers. As of now, the total beneficiary population of ESI Scheme stands over 13.56 crores. Ever since its inception in 1952, the ESI Corporation has, so far, set up 155 Hospitals, 1500/148 Dispensaries / ISM Units, 815 Branch/Pay Offices and 63 Regional & Sub-Regional Offices.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Draft e-Commerce Policy
A draft National e-Commerce policy has been prepared and placed in public domain. This policy addresses six broad areas of the e-commerce ecosystem viz. data, infrastructure development, e-commerce marketplaces, regulatory issues, stimulating domestic digital economy and export promotion through e-commerce. The Policy takes into account interests of all stakeholders, like investors, manufacturers, MSMEs, traders, retailers, startups and consumers.
The FDI Policy on e-commerce, first pronounced through Press Note 2 of 2000, permitted 100% FDI in B2B e-commerce activities. With a view to clarify already existing policy framework, after extensive stakeholder consultations, Press Note 3 was issued by DPIIT in 2016. B2C e-commerce, that is multi-brand retail through inventory based model, has all along remained prohibited for FDI. Through the Press Note 2  issued on 26 December, 2018 Government has only reiterated the policy provisions to ensure better implementation of the Policy in letter and spirit, without making any change in the underlying principle.
In response to the draft Policy, comments of a number of foreign governments have been received, including the US Government flagging issues of US businesses.
This information was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Rice sowing area stood at 398.08 lakh hectares
Shri Anna/Coarse cereals sown in 181.06 lakh hectares
Sugarcane sown in 59.91lakh hectares
Kharif Crop sowing crosses 1077.82 lakh hectares
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on 1st September 2023.
Area: In lakh hactare
|
|
S.
No.
|
|
Crop
|
|
Area Sown
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
1
|
|
Rice
|
|
398.08
|
|
383.79
|
|
2
|
|
Pulses
|
|
119.09
|
|
130.13
|
|
a
|
|
Arhar
|
|
42.66
|
|
45.27
|
|
b
|
|
Urdbean
|
|
31.68
|
|
36.65
|
|
c
|
|
Moongbean
|
|
30.98
|
|
33.57
|
|
d
|
|
Kulthi
|
|
0.29
|
|
0.26
|
|
e
|
|
Otherpulses
|
|
13.48
|
|
14.39
|
|
3
|
|
Shri Anna cum Coarse cereals
|
|
181.06
|
|
179.13
|
|
a
|
|
Jowar
|
|
14.06
|
|
15.57
|
|
b
|
|
Bajra
|
|
70.81
|
|
70.41
|
|
c
|
|
Ragi
|
|
8.13
|
|
7.73
|
|
d
|
|
Small Millets
|
|
5.21
|
|
4.77
|
|
e
|
|
Maize
|
|
82.86
|
|
80.66
|
|
4
|
|
Oilseeds
|
|
190.11
|
|
191.91
|
|
a
|
|
Groundnut
|
|
43.37
|
|
45.00
|
|
b
|
|
Soybean
|
|
125.13
|
|
123.91
|
|
c
|
|
Sunflower
|
|
0.69
|
|
1.98
|
|
d
|
|
Sesamum
|
|
11.83
|
|
12.80
|
|
e
|
|
Niger
|
|
0.45
|
|
0.82
|
|
f
|
|
Castor
|
|
8.53
|
|
7.26
|
|
g
|
|
Other Oilseeds
|
|
0.11
|
|
0.14
|
|
5
|
|
Sugarcane
|
|
59.91
|
|
55.65
|
|
6
|
|
Jute &Mesta
|
|
6.57
|
|
6.97
|
|
7
|
|
Cotton
|
|
122.99
|
|
125.63
|
|
Total
|
|
1077.82
|
|
1073.22